Dynamics of social nesting in overwintering meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus): possible consequences for population cycling

Male-female interaction during breeding and non-breeding seasons in Akodon azarae (Rodentia, Muridae)

“…Behavioral differences in the use of space too were observed in Apodemus sylvaticus (L., 1758) (TEW & MACDONALD, 1994) being the home range of both sexes significantly longer during the breeding season than in other periods and particularly being that of the male longer than the female one during the breeding season It was observed that during the breeding season males and females use separated nests unlike the non-breeding season when there are a high frequency of cohabitation by both mates of the pair, in spite of the fact that they build more than one nest. These results resemble those obtained by different authors for Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1815) (MADISON, 1980b;WEBSTER & BROOKS, 1981;MADISON et al, 1984). These authors stated that during the breeding season there is less tolerance than during the nonreproductive season, when tensions relax and individuals could live together in the same nest.…”

Social organization of the vole Clethrionomys rufocanus and its demographic and genetic consequences: A review

“…Such huddling, or communal nesting, is commonly seen in microtine rodents (e.g. Webster and Brooks 1981;Wolff and Lidicker 1981;Madison et al 1984;Karlsson 1988;see Madison 1984 for review). The potential cost of sharing a space (thus resources) could be compensate for by other advantages.…”

“…Kinship among nest-sharing members has been known only in a few Microtus species (M. ochrogaster, McGuire and Getz 1995; M. pennsylvanicus, Madison et al 1984;Madison and McShea 1987; M. xanthognathus, Wolff and Lidicker 1981). In the gray-sided vole, kin-based overwintering groups seem to be common.…”

Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor densities vary with photoperiod and sociality

“…Meadow voles are solitary in the spring-summer reproductive season, but both sexes are socially tolerant and aggregate in groups during winter months (Madison and McShea, 1987;Madison et al, 1984;Webster and Brooks, 1981). Social groups are initially composed of a female with her recent offspring, but mortality and immigration of both sexes occur such that by mid-winter, groups are no longer familial (Madison et al, 1984).…”

“…Social groups are initially composed of a female with her recent offspring, but mortality and immigration of both sexes occur such that by mid-winter, groups are no longer familial (Madison et al, 1984). Day-length cues are sufficient to mediate seasonal shifts in social behaviors in this species: female meadow voles housed in short, winter-like day lengths form partner preferences for a samesex cage-mate after one day of cohousing (Beery et al, 2009;Parker and Lee, 2003), whereas those housed in long, summer-like day lengths are significantly less social (Beery et al, 2008b;Ferkin and Seamon, 1987).…”